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Rigoberta Menchu Tum

Rigoberta Menchu Tum is an indigenous woman from Guatemala, specifically from the Quiche-Maya people.  She was born on January 9, 1959 to a poor peasant family that did not have any resources like other privilege citizens of the country.  She was raise to have a humble lifestyle, such as helping her family find ways to survive. Rigoberta experienced many hardships throughout her childhood. In her early years, her conscious grew about the injustices growing around in her local village and other parts of Guatemala.  She began to speak out about how women did not have equal rights as others.  She has been an influence for many people around the world whom want to create change. Rigoberta is most commonly known for her emphasis in the rights of indigenous people from her native country, Guatemala. 

She voiced out her opinions against the government during the civil war that affected many native people in that country, during 1960 and ending around 1996.  There was one occasion that Rigobera Menchu Tum had to flee her native country to Mexico because of death threats and other dangers that were surrounding her at the time. Even though, Menchu had to leave her country for hazardous reasons; she continue to fight and organize for the rights of indigenous people who were experiencing injustice. One of the most unique traits about Menchu is that she disciplined herself to teach herself Spanish, to be able to communicate to others and help her people.  Death was common in her family, since most of her immediate family was tortured and killed by the army.  Rigoberta Menchu Tum is not a woman of power because of money and political power, but her courage, strength, passion for social reform has the power to influence and touch the souls of many.

 

Famous Indigenous Woman Activist fom Guatemala